CITY OF HARRISBURG SCORES 81 ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN MUNICIPAL EQUALITY INDEX

CITY OF HARRISBURG SCORES 81 ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN MUNICIPAL EQUALITY INDEX

HARRISBURG – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) published official city scorecards on Monday, October 8, 2018 indicating that the City of Harrisburg scored 81 out of 100 on the Municipal Equality Index (MEI).

The Human Rights campaign consisting of three million members and supporters nationwide is the largest civil rights organization working towards achieving equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) Americans.

Each year, for the last seven years, the HRC MEI examines 506 cities nationwide on 49 different criteria from every state. It evaluates how inclusive municipal laws, policies and services are of the LGBTQ people who live and work there.

Harrisburg’s 2016 HRC MEI score was 68 points out of 100. Harrisburg’s 2017 HRC MEI score was 56 out of 100. This year, Harrisburg scored 81 out of 100, a 25 point increase due to the service of the nine Commissioners of the re-instated Harrisburg Human Relations Commission (HHRC).

The HHRC was reinstated November of 2017, with the appointment of nine commissioners who were confirmed by City Council. These members are:

Commissioner Russell A. Boggs, Chair

Commissioner Gretchen Little, Vice Chair

Commissioner Amanda L. Arbour

Commissioner Theo Braddy

Commissioner Valerie Carelock

Commissioner Amanda Carter

Commissioner Joshua J. Grubbs

Commissioner Kia L. Hansard

Commissioner Christi’an Yellowdy

“I commend the Human Relations Commission and all of our city workers who are helping to improve the quality of life for all of our residents and who are making Harrisburg a more inclusive and welcoming city,” said Mayor Eric Papenfuse.

The 25 point increase is attributed to the following four areas:

Re-instatement of the Harrisburg Human Relations Commission with the appointment of 9 Commissioners in November of 2017